The American Gastroenterological Association enrolled the first participant into the Fecal Microbiota Transplantation National Registry, which is planned to be the largest FMT study to date.

Here's what you should know:

1. The AGA FMT National Registry is funded by the National Institutes of Health and is being administered through the AGA Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education.

2. The study will track 4,000 patients for 10 years to determine the effectiveness as well as short-and long-term effects of FMT.

3. The first patient was enrolled from Hamden-based Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut/Medical Research Center of Connecticut by Paul Feuerstadt, MD. Dr. Feuerstadt will follow up with the patient four times over the next two years, sharing how the patient responded to treatment. The patient will then share their condition with researchers annually throughout the study's duration.

4. Principal Investigator Gary Wu, MD, said, "Today is an important milestone for the AGA FMT National Registry. What's ahead is a significant repository of data for investigators working to advance FMT research, better information for physicians on when and how to use FMT and reassurance for patients that we now understand the risks and benefits of this procedure."

5. It's expected 75 clinical sites will participate in the study. OpenBiome, a public stool bank and research organization, is collaborating with the AGA on this study to provide stool for transplant. To learn more or for information on how to take part in the study, click here.http://www.gastro.org/press_releases/largest-planned-fecal-microbiota-transplantation-fmt-study-enrolls-1st-patient